Trans people reach new heights in coaching, labor movement

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Trans people involved in the labor movement are relatively rare, but last month, flight attendant and trans woman Audrey Gauthier was elected president of her local union. Gauthier previously served as vice president and secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 4041, before running for the top seat. This reportedly makes her the first such person holding this role in Canada and just the second in the world.

Gauthier is also an activist for the National Pink Triangle Committee. Her education efforts include normalizing the role trans people have in our communities.

Soccer Coach Stephen Alexander at Ponaganset High School in Gloucester, R.I. made headlines recently when came out as a trans man to a sports publication, but says the reaction has been “overwhelmingly positive” according to a Boston area newspaper. Alexander previously coached a number of different sports at both middle school to high school level, including both girls’ and boys’ teams.

Like Gauthier, Alexander intends to educate others about being transgender, stressing the importance of a support system for those with gender identity struggles. He’s also working to get protection for trans student athletes.

5 replies

Trans* people have natural empathy and insight: we have experience of both sides of the gender divide and we understand pain as well as joy. If people would just trust us more often, as has been the case you’ve illustrated here, then the world would be a better place. The world IS a better place because of us!!!

I’m encouraged when I see articles like this, but alas, the United Stated is chock full of transgender haters that will stoop to any low just to appease their hatred. And at the top of the transgender hatred barrel you’ll find all the religious fanatic haters. Sad, so realty sad. For those who hate, I only hope the saying, “What goes around, comes around”, comes into play.